Cyanotech Reports Financial Results for the Third Quarter and First Nine Months of Fiscal Year 2019

— Net Sales Increase 9.8% to Record $10,044,000 —

KAILUA KONA, Hawaii–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Cyanotech Corporation (Nasdaq Capital Market: CYAN), a world leader in
microalgae-based, high-value nutrition and health products, announced
financial results for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal
year 2019, ended December 31, 2018.

Third Quarter Fiscal 2019

Cyanotech Corporation achieved its highest quarterly net sales total
during the third quarter of fiscal 2019 with net sales of $10,044,000
compared to $9,150,000 in the third quarter of fiscal 2018. Gross profit
was $4,116,000, with gross profit margin of 41.0%, compared to gross
profit of $4,240,000 and gross profit margin of 46.3%. Operating income
was $495,000 compared to operating income of $1,110,000. Net income was
$288,000 or $0.05 per diluted share, compared to net income of
$1,107,000 or $0.19 per diluted share.

“Though we are encouraged by the record sales numbers for the quarter,
we remain unsatisfied with current profit margins. To improve margins,
we intend to continue to adjust and improve our cultivation techniques
and technologies, and we will continue to focus on deepening our brand
awareness in the consumer market. We are also continuing to explore
potential new revenue streams, including leveraging our extraction
capacity and expertise to perform extraction services for other algae
producers. With improved profitability, the Company will be
better positioned to self-fund the various opportunities for growth that
are both directly in front of us and over the horizon.”

Providing further detail about the quarterly results, company CFO Brian
Orlopp added,

“Net sales reflected an increase of 9.8%, which was driven by higher
spirulina sales (up 21.3%) due to a 16% improvement in spirulina
production over the same period in the prior year. This resulted in a
41.6% increase in packaged spirulina sales to Nutrex Hawaii customers
who were previously constrained by limited product availability. Bulk
spirulina sales declined 34.9% as we focused on Nutrex Hawaii orders and
rebuilding inventory of finished products. Demand for Hawaiian Spirulina
remains high since we have returned to full production, and at the end
of the quarter we continued to have a large number of open orders for
both our packaged and bulk spirulina products.

“Astaxanthin sales were up 3.9% compared to the same quarter last year.
International sales represented 9% of net sales for the current quarter
compared to 24% for the same period last year. Direct sales of finished
products into the Canadian market continue to build on the amazon.ca
online marketplace after its launch in Q2 of fiscal 2019, and sale of
the BioAstin Eye Formula continued to grow after its re-launch on
costco.com in Q1 of fiscal 2019.

“Our gross profit margin decreased 5.3 percentage points compared to the
same period last year. This reduction was mainly due to higher costs in
the production of astaxanthin, driven by an 18% reduction in astaxanthin
production compared with the third quarter of fiscal 2018. Operating
expenses increased $0.5 million. General and administrative expenses
remained consistent while sales and marketing expenses increased $0.4
million due to a $0.5 million increase in advertising and promotion
costs, offset by a $0.1 million decrease in outside services expense.
Research and development expenses increased $0.1 million due to a
reallocation of personnel resulting from changes in responsibilities and
reporting.”

“Additionally,” Mr. Morton reported, “the Company continues to
transition with the restructuring of its executive team, in order to
provide the diversity and quality of products that our customers expect,
and the sound and consistent financial performance that our long term
partners and shareholders do as well.”

First Nine Months Fiscal 2019

For the first nine months ended December 31, 2018 compared to the first
nine months ended December 31, 2017, net sales were $24,143,000 compared
to $26,014,000. Gross profit was $8,237,000, with gross profit margin of
34.1%, compared to $11,463,000 and 44.1%. Net loss was ($2,123,000) or
($0.37) per diluted share, compared to net income of $2,083,000 or $0.36
per diluted share.

Trailing 12 Months

For the trailing 12 months ended December 31, 2018 compared to the
trailing 12 months ended December 31, 2017, net sales were $32,244,000
compared to $33,267,000. Gross profit was $10,145,000, with gross profit
margin of 31.5%, compared to $14,124,000 and 42.5%. Net loss was
($3,181,000) or ($0.55) per diluted share, compared to net income of
$1,810,000 or $0.32 per diluted share.

Please review the Company’s Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31,
2018 for more detailed information.

— Cyanotech will host a Skype broadcast at 8 p.m. EST on Thursday,
February 14, 2019 to respond to questions about its operating results
and other topics of interest. Interested parties are asked to submit
questions to questions@cyanotech.com
before 12 p.m. EST on Thursday, February 14, 2019. The Company will
respond only to relevant questions relating to the Company’s third
quarter fiscal 2019 financial performance, and will not be accepting any
questions or comments during the broadcast.

About Cyanotech — Cyanotech Corporation, a world leader in
microalgae technology for over 30 years, produces BioAstin® Hawaiian
Astaxanthin® and Hawaiian Spirulina Pacifica®. These all natural,
dietary ingredients and supplements leverage our experience and
reputation for quality, building nutritional brands which promote health
and well-being. The Company’s mission is to fulfill the promise of whole
health through Hawaiian microalgae. Cyanotech’s BioAstin® offers
superior antioxidant activity which supports skin, eye and joint health,
as well as recovery from exercise*. Cyanotech’s Spirulina products offer
nutrition that supports cardiovascular health and immunity.* All
Cyanotech products are produced from microalgae grown at our 96-acre
facility in Kona, Hawaii using patented and proprietary technology and
are Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) for use in food products.
Cyanotech sells its products direct to consumers at retail locations in
the United States and online at www.nutrex-hawaii.com
and also distributes to dietary supplement, nutraceutical and
cosmeceutical manufacturers and marketers. The Company is regulated by
the FDA. Visit www.cyanotech.com
for more information.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug
Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or
prevent any disease.

“Safe Harbor” Statement under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995 Besides statements of present fact and historical
fact, this press release may contain forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements relate to the future and are subject to
inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are
difficult to predict. Our actual results may differ materially from
those contemplated by forward-looking statements. We caution against
relying on forward-looking statements. Important factors that could
change actual, future results include: changes in sales levels to our
largest customers, weather patterns in Hawaii, production problems,
risks associated with new products, foreign exchange fluctuations, and
availability of financing, as well as national and global political,
economic, business, competitive, market and regulatory conditions. Other
factors are more fully detailed in the Company’s annual Form 10-K
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Financial Tables Follow: The following tables do not contain
footnotes or other information contained in the Company’s Form 10-Q for
the period ended December 31, 2018, which can be found on the Cyanotech
website (www.cyanotech.com)
under Investors>Investor Filings upon filing. As such the following
Financial Tables are provided only as a guide and other factors are more
fully detailed in the Company’s annual Form 10-K filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.

CYANOTECH CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

December 31,2018

March 31,2018

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash

$

1,573

$

1,329

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $27
at December 31, 2018 and $27 at March 31, 2018